This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
Triage
Plot Overview
Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and British rogue assassin & mercenary Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) are forced to work together to decontaminate Shaw's MI-6 sister Hattie (Vanessa Kirby) before her implanted virus is activated. They are pursued by cyber-genetically enhanced “Black Superman” rogue soldier Brixton (Idris Elba) and his army of mercenaries. They end up in a melee in Samoa with “old school” natives wielding clubs and spears fighting modern soldiers with (vulnerable) high tech weapons. The title says it all.
Ideology
Brixton is pegged as a super bad guy for his wanting to throw the weak half of humanity under the bus. Hobbs, Shaw, and Hattie are the good guys for trying to save the world. (Prov. 14:21) “He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.”
(Prov. 14:22) “Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.” The bad guys have a really evil plan but the good guys have their heads screwed on straight.
(Prov. 14:23) “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” The interrogation of Shaw's sister is going well until Hobbs steps outside the room to answer a call from his young daughter. He takes his eye off the room while he shoots the breeze with the kid.
(Prov. 14:24) “The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.” Air Marshal Dinkley (Kevin Hart) offers to procure anything Hobbs & Shaw want. In flashbacks we see Shaw and Hattie fooling with grifts as kids.
(Prov. 14:25)
“A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh
lies.” Hattie honestly tries to save the world by implanting
the timed release biological agent into her palm to keep it safe until
it can be extracted. Brixton sets her up to take the fall with her
own people by messaging them she has gone rogue.
(Prov. 14:26) “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” The Samoans go into battle with strong confidence after having provided a refuge “off the grid” for Hobbs and crew.
(Prov. 14:27) “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” The Samoan war chant seems to elevate the battle to a higher plane.
(Prov. 14:28) “In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.” The Samoan matriarch provides a plenteous crew to help her boy get out of trouble. Whoever is controlling Brixton doesn't seem to have any backup for his crew.
(Prov. 14:29) “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” There exists some history and bad blood between Hobbs & Shaw and again between Hobbs and his Samoan brother Jonah (Cliff Curtis.) They would do well to suck it up.
(Prov. 14:30) “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.” The competition between Hobbs & Shaw seems right out of high school, along the lines mentioned in a Harlan Coben novel: (272)
every New Jersey high school basketball game must begin by reading the state's sportsmanship policy:“‘There will be no tolerance for negative statements or actions between opposing players and coaches. This includes taunting, baiting, berating opponents, “trash talking,” or actions which ridicule or cause embarrassment to them.’”
Hobbs and Shaw seem to have in good nature engaged in all of the above with each other, though they stopped short of any ethnic slurs or homophobic putdowns. They also treated Shaw's sister with great respect.
Production Values
“” (2019) was directed by David Leitch. Its screenplay was written by Chris Morgan and Drew Pearce. It stars Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, and Idris Elba with appearances by Helen Mirren, Kevin Hart, Ryan Reynolds, and Eddie Marsa. The cast was great. Johnson and Statham were a lot of fun to watch. MPAA rated it PG–13 for prolonged sequences of action and violence, suggestive material and some strong language.
Review Conclusion w/ Christian Recommendation
This movie is action unadulterated with just enough plot to hold it together. It's a Hollywood stunt-fest all the way, but who cares? The action looked good if sometimes impossible.
Movie Ratings
Action factor: Edge of your seat action-packed fun. Suitability for Children: Suitable for children 13+ years with guidance. Special effects: Absolutely amazing special effects. Video Occasion: Will perk up a Rainy Day. Suspense: Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Overall movie rating: Three stars out of five.
Works Cited
Scripture quoted from the King James Version. Pub. 1611, rev. 1769. Software.
Coben, Harlan. Home. New York: Penguin Random House LLC, 2016. Print.
bibles.n7nz.org